Duplex envelope



oct. 27 1925.

. H. TRENCHARD DUPLEX ENVELOPE Filed Nov. 14, 1925 www mem K ArN, w WK,r va R E mm M www M MN W m d2 n muy CMM m mwa/0 mmm/w, www ,Wgr `N l BBH4 mmm: zumo Lvf whom they are Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES HENRY TRENCHARD 0F BBQOKLYN, NEW YORK.

DUPLEX ENVELOPE. J

Application filed November .14, 1923.' -Sertal No. 674,598'.

To all whom 'it may concern:

lle it known that I, IlnNnY lmiNciI/um, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of 'New' York cit, borough of Brooklyn, Kings County,gtatc ot" New York, have invented an Improvement in Duplex Envelopes` ofwhich the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to duplex envelopes of the type providing'a compart- 'mcnt for first-class mattei' which may be that thefirst-class I nattcr andy the catalog" or other matter to 'which it'relates vshould be received together. Envelopes of this characterbecause they are relatively bulky and contain, in part, third or fourthclass matter, are likely to be opened by those to addressed withrelatively little care and, ment for first class matter is not Soarranged as to attract snecial attention, it is entirel possible ,anfrequently occurs that t le third or fourth class matterI is removedfrom its compartment and the smaller first class matter is overlookedand thrown away with the wrapper. It has been proposed to mark thcletter compartment distinctively, as for example, by printing a suitablelegend thereon'orfb making the same of a contrasting color. l-Iowever,when mail is hastily opened such marking is inetfective to direct pro)er attention to the letter conn'iartmcnt. hen the letter compartment isformed to present the appearance of an entirely separate envelope it ismuch more likely to be opened an much less likely to be carelesslyoverlooked.

The tendency tolextract the third or fourth class'matter only and throwthe container in the wastebnsket without noticing the exstcuce of ascparate'first class compartment is substantially reduced. s

Duplex envelopes or containers of the -therefore, if the compart vaunit. One envelope,

characternnder consideration are usually made from s ecially shapedblanks formed to provide t e two compartments desired. The manufactureof such special envelopes in this manner, requires special dies for cutting the blanks and either special machines must be provided forfolding the same or the folding operations must be performed by hand atconsiderable ex ense. Furthermore there is a demand vor a variety ofAsizes and a variety of combinations of sizes for the first and third orfourth class mattei' respectively. For Athis reason it is necessary tocarry a large stock on hand or else to manufacture specially for eachorder. Either practice requires a large assortment of special diesolditerent sizes thus increasing the expei'ise ot' manufacture.

'lhe present invention has for an object to provide an improved duplexenvelo e which can be manufactured expeditious y y,

manent manner so that they will `*be carried and delivered as as ishown, the smaller, is designed for first class matter and is arrangedto be'sealed. The other envelope is intended for third or fourth classmatter and maybe closed in a relatively temporary manner, as forexample. by a separable fastenin means arrange to hold the flap in closerelation".V

In the particular construction shown theI smaller envelope 5 forirstclass matter of the center scam tye havinga flap 6 at one end and agumme sealing flap 7 at the oiposite end. The larger envelope 9 is of tie same type having a center seam 10 along what is in one as ect theback of this cnvelope, a sealed ap 11 at one end and a together throughthe mail closure flap 12 at the other end. A suitable d ino separablefastener 14 cooperates with the flap 12 to accessibly close theenvelope.

The two envelopes may be secured together in any suitable manner.Preferably theyare secured together at one end only, the remainingportions being f-ree of each other and unconnected so that as thecnvelope is handled it is obvious that there are two distinct mailcompartments. The duplex envelope so constructed has very much the`appearance of two separate pieces of mail and neither part is likely tobe overlooked.

In the particularconstruction shown the end 15 of the smaller envelopelies relatively close to a fold of the flap 12 of the larger envelopeand the fastener 14 secures the two envelopes together by passingthrough the smaller envelope and the back of the larger envelope as bestshown in lFigure 2. rlhe fastener 14 thus constitutes means for securingthe two envelopes togetheras Well as means for holding the closure flap12 in closed relation against the face of the smaller envelope 5 and theback of the larger envelope 9 of which it forms a part. When the flap 12is closed and secured, any tendency of the smaller envelope to turnrelatively to the larger is opposed not only by the fastener 14 but alsoby engagement of the end 15 of the smaller envelope in the fold of theflap 12, thus holding the two envelopes in substantially parallelrelation.

The two envelopes are shown as secured together back to back. ln thisarrangement the flap G of the smaller envelope may be p gummed but leftunsealed when this envelope is made up and upon assembly with the largerenvelope this flap may be folded Within the larger envelope and securedagainst the inside of the back thereof. This arrangement provides ameans for securing the two envelo es together which would probably be sucient for the purpose if the fastener 14 Were omitted or should tear outof the larger envelope. The flap' 12 of the larger envelope 9 folds overthe smaller envelope 5 against the face thereof as Well as against theback of the larger envelope at either side of the smaller. In one aspectthe flap 12 and the fastener 14 or other means for holding the apclosedmay be considered as means for holding the two envelopes together.

The address may be applied to either of the exposed faces of theenvelopes but the arrangement` illustrated is preferred in which theaddress is applied to the face of the smaller envelope and the flapfolds over such smaller envelope relatively adjacent to the address.Postage is applied to the two envelopes as indicated at 17 and 18 in theusual position with respect to the address and the two places forpostage are relatively close to each other so as to be convenient forcancellation b the postal clerks. This arrangement is pre erred for thereason that the mail as received Will ordinarily be handled with theaddress side up and upon picking up the envelope shown it becomes quiteobvious that there are two separate compartments. The two envelopesstand out at the free ends as separate units and there is a tendency topick up the smaller envelope by itself thus making evident immediatelythe presence of a separate and distinct larger envelope.

Duplex envelopes embodying the present invention Will be seen to embodycharacteristics which increase their value in use and facilitatemanufacture thereof. The arrangement of the two compartments is suchthat it is practically impossible for one compartment to be opened andthe contents removed without observing the second compartment. Theconnection between the two parts of the device is such that no closedpocket is formed to catch and retain other mail. f

Manufacture is facilitated and the cost reduced in that no special dies,machines or tools are required. The complete article can be andpreferably is made up from envelopes of standard type and la relativelysmall stock of the standard sizes of envelope for each type of mail canbe carried on hand and the component parts of any selected sizes can beexpeditiously assembled.

The larger envelope may be of regular standard type but Withoutfasteners applied. The smaller may also be regular stock envelopes butif duplex `envelopes of the preferred construction illustrated are to bemade, both end flaps should be creased and gummed but not folded.

I claim: y

l. A duplex envelope of the character described comprising a larger anda smaller envelope, the smaller envelope havin .an

, end flap folded within the open end o the larger envelope and securedto the inner face of the body thereof, the two envelopes beingunattached throughout substantially their whole area, the closure flapat the open end of the larger envelope beingfoldable over. the face ofthe smaller envelope and attachable thereto.

2. A duplex envelope of the character described comprising a larger anda smaller envelope, the smaller envelope having an end flap foldedwithin the open end of the larger envelope and secured to the inner faceof lthe body thereof, the two envelopes being unattached throughoutsubstantially their whole area, the closure flap at the open end of thelarger envelope being foldable over the face of the smaller envelope, afastener securing the smaller envelope to the body of the largerenvelope adjacent to the open end of the latter and arranged VVtocooperate with the said closure flap of the larger' envelope to hold itin Closed relation. Y 3. A duplex envelope Comprising two envelopesplaced backy to back with a flap of the smaller. extending into andsecured against the inner face of the back of the larger envelope, theClosure flap of the larger envelope being foldable over the body of thesmaller envelope and means to seeure said closure flap to the body ofthe smaller envelope. y

4. A duplex envelope Comprising a larger envelope having a closure Hap,a smaller envelope, a lfastener securing the smaller envelope to thelarger at a point removed from the marginal edge of the smallerenvelope, the marginal edge lying substantially against the fold of theflap of the larger envelope thereby to prevent rotational movement ofthe smaller envelope about the fastener.

In testimony whereof` l have signed mv name to this specification this12th day of November, 1923.

HENRY TRENCHRD.

